Lon Chaney Sr, Mockery Strand Theatre Mt. Vernon Ricardo Cortez MGM Herald 1927

Description

Lon Chaney Sr, Mockery Strand Theatre Mt. Vernon Ricardo Cortez MGM Movie Vintage Original Theatre Herald Poster 1927
Description
THIS IS A NO RESERVE AUCTION!
FRAME IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION
SUPER 1927 VINTAGE ORIGINAL
SUPER VINTAGE ORIGINAL MOVIE THEATRE HERALD  1927 VINTAGE ORIGINAL 2-SIDED  APPROX 9X7 WHEN OPENED SURVIVED THE RAVAGES OF TIME IN GREAT SHAPE ~FOLDED ONCE AS ISSUED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FOR A 92-YEAR OLD MOVIE GEM...AND WILL LOOK GREAT IN A FRAME ..VERY UNIQUE!
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR  FRESHLY SHOT PHOTOS OF THIS VINTAGE ORIGINAL 1927 MOVIE THEATRE HERALD  POSTER
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Directed by Benjamin Christensen
CAST: Lon Chaney (Sergei), Barbara Bedford (Countess Alexandrova/Tatiana), Ricardo Cortez (The Captain/Dimitri), Charles Puffy (Ivan), Mack Swain (Gaidaroff), Emily Fitzroy (Mrs. Gaidaroff), Kai Schmidt (butler), John Mack Brown (uncredited extra as a Russian soldier)
During the filming of Thunder in the winter of 1929, Chaney developed pneumonia. In late 1929 he was diagnosed with bronchial lung cancer. This was exacerbated when artificial snow, made out of cornflakes, lodged in his throat during filming and quickly created a serious infection. Despite aggressive treatment, his condition gradually worsened, and seven weeks after the release of the remake of The Unholy Three, he died of a throat hemorrhage on Tuesday, August 26, 1930, in Los Angeles, California. His funeral was held on August 28 in Glendale, California. Honorary pallbearers included Paul Bern, Hunt Stromberg, Irving Thalberg, Louis B. Mayer, Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Tod Browning, Lew Cody, and Ramon Novarro. The U.S. Marine Corps provided a chaplain and Honor Guard for his funeral. While his funeral was being conducted, all film studios and every office at MGM observed two minutes of silence in his honor.
Leonidas Frank Chaney was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Frank H. Chaney and Emma Alice Kennedy. His father was of English and French ancestry, and his mother was of Scottish, English, and Irish descent. Chaney's maternal grandfather, Jonathan Ralston Kennedy, founded the "Colorado School for the Education of Mutes" (now, Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind) in 1874, and Chaney's parents met there. His great-grandfather was congressman John Chaney. Both of Chaney's parents were deaf, and as a child of deaf adults Chaney became skilled in pantomime. He entered a stage career in 1902, and began traveling with popular Vaudeville and theater acts. In 1905, Chaney, then 22, met and married 16-year-old singer Cleva Creighton (Frances Cleveland Creighton) and in 1906, their only child, a son, Creighton Tull Chaney (later known as Lon Chaney Jr.) was born. The Chaneys continued touring, settling in California in 1910.
Ethel Grey Terry and Lon Chaney in The Penalty (1920)
Marital troubles developed and on April 30, 1913, Cleva went to the Majestic Theater in downtown Los Angeles, where Lon was managing the "Kolb and Dill" show, and attempted suicide by swallowing mercuric chloride.The suicide attempt failed but it ruined her singing career as a result; the ensuing scandal and divorce forced Chaney out of the theater and into film.
The time spent there is not clearly known, but between the years 1912 and 1917, Chaney worked under contract for Universal Studios doing bit or character parts. His skill with makeup gained him many parts in the highly competitive casting atmosphere. During this time, Chaney befriended the husband-wife director team of Joe De Grasse and Ida May Park, who gave him substantial roles in their pictures, and further encouraged him to play macabre characters.
Chaney married one of his former colleagues in the Kolb and Dill company tour, a chorus girl named Hazel Hastings. Little is known of Hazel, except that her marriage to Chaney was solid. Upon marrying, the new couple gained custody of Chaney's 10-year-old son Creighton, who had resided in various homes and boarding schools since Chaney's divorce from Cleva in 1913.
By 1917 Chaney was a prominent actor in the studio, but his salary did not reflect this status. When Chaney asked for a raise, studio executive William Sistrom replied, "You'll never be worth more than one hundred dollars a week." After leaving the studio, Chaney struggled for the first year as a character actor. It was not until 1918 when playing a substantial role in William S. Hart's picture Riddle Gawne that Chaney's talents as a character actor were truly recognized by the industry.
In 1917 Universal presented Chaney, Dorothy Phillips, and William Stowell as a team in The Piper's Price. In succeeding films, the men alternated playing lover, villain, or other man to the beautiful Phillips. They would occasionally be joined by Claire DuBrey nearly making the trio a quartet of recurring actors from film to film. So successful were the films starring this group that Universal produced fourteen films from 1917 to 1919 with Chaney, Stowell, and Phillips. The films were usually directed by Joe De Grasse or his wife Ida May Park, both friends of Chaney's at Universal. When Chaney was away branching out on films such as Riddle Gawne and The Kaiser, Beast of Berlin, Stowell and Phillips would continue on as a duo until Chaney's return. Stowell and Phillips made The Heart of Humanity (1918), bringing in Erich von Stroheim for a part as the villain that could easily have been played by Chaney. Paid in Advance (1919) was the group's last film together, for the chiseled featured Stowell was sent to Africa by Universal to scout locations for a movie. En route from one city to another, Stowell was in the caboose when it was hit by the locomotive from another train; he was killed instantly. The majority of these films are lost but a few, including Triumph and Paid in Advance survive in private collections or unrestored in European or Russian archives.
In 1919, Chaney had a breakthrough performance as "The Frog" in George Loane Tucker's The Miracle Man. The film displayed not only Chaney's acting ability, but also his talent as a master of makeup. Critical praise and a gross of over million put Chaney on the map as America's foremost character actor.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
Chaney exhibited great adaptability with makeup in more conventional crime and adventure films, such as The Penalty (1920), in which he played a gangster with both legs amputated. Chaney appeared in 10 films directed by Tod Browning, often portraying disguised and/or mutilated characters, including carnival knife-thrower Alonzo the Armless in The Unknown (1927) opposite Joan Crawford. In 1927, Chaney also co-starred with Conrad Nagel, Marceline Day, Henry B. Walthall and Polly Moran in the Tod Browning horror film London After Midnight, considered one of the most legendary and sought after lost films. His final film role was a sound remake of his silent classic The Unholy Three (1930), his only "talkie" and the only film in which Chaney utilized his powerful and versatile voice. Chaney signed a sworn statement declaring that five of the key voices in the film (the ventriloquist, the old woman, a parrot, the dummy and the girl) were his own.
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Makeup in the early days of cinema was almost non-existent with the exception of beards and moustaches to denote villains. Most of what the Hollywood studios knew about film stemmed from their experience with theater make-up, but this did not always transfer well to the big screen, especially as the film quality increased over time. It is also worth noting that make-up departments were not yet in place during Chaney's time. Prior to the mid-20s, actors were expected to do their own make-up.In absence of specialized make-up artist professions, Chaney's make-up artistry skills gave him a competitive advantage over other actors. He was the complete package. Casting crews knew that they could place him in virtually any part and he would thrive. In some films his skill allowed him to play dual roles. An extreme case of this was the film Outside the Law (1920), where he played a character that shot and killed another character, whom he also was playing.
As Quasimodo, the bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, and Erik, the "phantom" of the Paris Opera House, Chaney created two of the most grotesquely deformed characters in film history. However, the portrayals sought to elicit a degree of sympathy and pathos among viewers not overwhelmingly terrified or repulsed by the monstrous disfigurements of these victims of fate.
In a 1925 autobiographical article for Movie magazine, Chaney wrote, "I wanted to remind people that the lowest types of humanity may have within them the capacity for supreme self-sacrifice. The dwarfed, misshapen beggar of the streets may have the noblest ideals. Most of my roles since The Hunchback, such as The Phantom of the Opera, He Who Gets Slapped, The Unholy Three, etc., have carried the theme of self-sacrifice or renunciation. These are the stories which I wish to do." Chaney referred to his expertise in both make-up and contorting his body to portray his subjects as "extraordinary characterization." Chaney's talents extended beyond the horror genre and stage makeup. He was also a highly skilled dancer, singer and comedian.
London After Midnight (1927)
Ray Bradbury once said of Chaney, "He was someone who acted out our psyches. He somehow got into the shadows inside our bodies; he was able to nail down some of our secret fears and put them on-screen. The history of Lon Chaney is the history of unrequited loves. He brings that part of you out into the open, because you fear that you are not loved, you fear that you never will be loved, you fear there is some part of you that's grotesque, that the world will turn away from."
Chaney and his second wife Hazel led a discreet private life distant from the Hollywood social scene. Chaney did minimal promotional work for his films and for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, purposefully fostering a mysterious image, and he reportedly intentionally avoided the social scene in Hollywood.
In the final five years of his film career (1925–1930), Chaney worked exclusively under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, giving some of his most memorable performances. His portrayal of a tough-as-nails marine drill instructor in Tell It to the Marines (1926), one of his favorite films, earned him the affection of the Marine Corps, who made him their first honorary member from the motion picture industry. He also earned the respect and admiration of numerous aspiring actors, to whom he offered mentoring assistance, and between takes on film sets he was always willing to share his professional observations with the cast and crew. During the filming of The Unknown, Joan Crawford stated that she learned more about acting from watching Chaney work than from anyone else in her career. "It was then," she said, "I became aware for the first time of the difference between standing in front of a camera, and acting."
The unmarked crypt of Lon Chaney, in the Great Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California
Chaney was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, next to the crypt of his father. His wife Hazel was interred there upon her death in 1933. For unknown reasons, Chaney's crypt has remained unmarked.
NO SURPRISES HERE...WHAT YOU SEE AND WHAT I DESCRIBE IS WHAT YOU GET AND YOU MUST BE HAPPY!..
AND YOU WILL BE!
RARE
GORGEOUS!
....SEE ALL PICS
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MOCKERY
RARE VINTAGE ORIGINAL
LOOKS EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE IN A FRAME!..BUT CAN DISPLAY AS IS!
SPOOKY MONSTROUS MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES IMAGES
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~STUNNING
SENT FLAT TO THE WINNER!
READY TO FRAME OR HANG AS IS!
THIS IS AN ARTICLE I WROTE FOR "SCARY MONSTERS" MAGAZINE BOUT GHOSTMASTER JACK BAKER...DR. SILKINI!
Direct From Hollywood!"
ASYLUM OF HORRORS!
A unique brand of entertainment in American Movie House history was known as the Midnight Ghost Show.  From its rise in the late 1920's to its eventual demise in the late 60's, the Spook Show captured imaginations and thrilled audiences in movie houses and drive-ins around the country.
Midnight Ghost Shows or Spook Shows, later called Midnight Horror Shows, were orchestrated by a magician or "Spook Master," and occurred live in the theatre before, between and after feature horror films.  Spook Show operators would take their shows on the road to small theaters across the country. Thousands of dollars could easily be made with a good routine and the willingness to live a somewhat transient existence. Theater operators made easy money booking these shows, with little out of pocket expense. Because the shows typically began at midnight, when the theater would otherwise be closed, the theater owners risked nothing by booking them and were all but guaranteed a profit.
Elaborate advertising and posters were provided way in advance by the Spook Show operators, who mailed them to the theater with instructions about how to build up interest and suspense in their patrons. Intriguing posters often bearing shocking claims were placed in the movie house lobbies weeks before the show rolled into town for its one- night- stand.
Trailers for these events were shown with the feature films in the weeks leading up to the Spook Show, generating intense interest and advance tickets sales. Gimmicks such as give-aways and free passes were employed to great success, as was radio advertising.  Advertising included such blurbs as, "SO SCARY WE DARE YOU TO SIT THROUGH IT ALL!  IF YOU DO---YOU WIN FREE 2 FOR 1 PASSES TO A NEAR FUTURE MOVIE!"  Another promised, "MONSTERS AND WEIRD BEAUTIES." Or from the Ahmen Ra and His Weird Tomb of Terrors featuring the Mummy in Person, "MONSTERS GRAB GIRLS FROM THE AUDIENCE!"
The Spook Show phenomena began in the lavish theaters of the 1920's where they were billed predominantly as midnight Magic Shows complete with magicians, seances, floating phantoms, illuminated spirits and often comedy as well. One of the unique aspects of these shows was the "blackout" where at the end of the show the theater lights would be turned off and glow-in-the-dark ghosts would appear to materialize overhead and on the stage, thrilling and terrifying audiences. Everything and anything could happen. Spiders would fly from the balcony, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley might materialize, if you were brave enough to sit through the whole show you might win a "dead body." Then the feature film, generally a horror film, would be shown.
Some would consider one man to be the king of the Spook Show Circuit- Jack Baker.
John Kessler, later known as Jack Baker, was born in Detroit Michigan in 1914.  He started his career in show business as a teenager, doing magic.  He later went on to sell trade magazines and in his travels he was invited to a Midnight Ghost Show. When the mentalist, Mel-Roy didn't show, Jack was tapped to do his magic act for the expectant audience.  He was hooked.
In time young Kessler joined up with Wyman Baker. Adopted by Baker's parents, (thus the change from Kessler to Baker)  the two "brothers" teamed up to create "Dr. Silkini's Spiritualistic Séance and Ghost Show in 1938: what would become the long-standing,  "Asylum of Horrors."
The advertising for the "Asylum of Horrors" promised Monsters and Fright but leaned towards a "Hellsapoppin' type show, replete with laughs as well as shrieks.  Typical Baker poster advertisement 'ballyhoo' for the Asylum of Horrors Show consisted of blurbs such as: "Eerie! See it Happen-right before your startled eyes- IN PERSON!…And on a rampage. DIRECT FROM HOLLYWOOD…THE FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER."
The show was a big hit. In fact it broke box office records. Over the years, real movie actors from Universal Films such as Glenn Strange, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr., made guest appearances in Jack's show.  Universal even gave Baker special permission to use their Frankenstein character in the show because they felt that it contributed to the popularity of their monster. At one point there were 7 "units" like franchises, doing the show around the country. For many years Asylum of Horrors was the most successful and lucrative Spook Show on the circuit and Jack Baker became known as the King of the Spook Shows.
The decline of Spook Shows had many causes; greed for profit, jaded audiences, television and cinemascope, (resulting in the removal of stages from movie theaters.) But perhaps there was more. In the advent of Abbott and Costello meeting all the monsters, the Addams Family and The Munsters, there was a saturation of comedy into horror that spelled doom for the whole shebang.   Or perhaps too, the world was growing up, becoming more cynical, unwilling to suspend their disbelief even for a few short hours, when the Magic could happen.
THIS IS NOT A REPRINT OR REPRO OF ANY KIND!..
100% GUARANTEED ORIGINAL
VINTAGE ORIGINAL 1927 2-SIDED MOVIE THEATRE HERALD
HERE'S WHAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING!!!
I buy from Colossusofny often and am always pleased.
casarama
Nice vntg. item in great condition! FAST shpng. & friendly service!
thebonechief
Wasn't beauty killed the beast....twas COLOSSUS, The best EBAY has to offer!!
mo382
ED IS THE ULTIMATE SPOOK SHOW HISTORIAN AND COLLECTOR
cinemanure
Poster is in beautiful condition, thank you!
jlsx
Beautiful poster,good packing,fast shipping,A 1 Seller
shadowman_65
Honest, dependable, reliable, considerate dealer. Packaging flawless. Excellent
hinton1000
Unusual items, extremely low price, very happy with deal
buy4jim
EXCELLENT!!! Honest and pleasant ebayer, truly one of the best!! Thanks Ed!
rods-n-bods
Thanks Ed & thanks for the bonus card! Great poster & speedy delivery
greshplow
THE BEST OF THE BEST - FEEL WHAT ITS LIKE TO DEAL WITH A PRO - BID W/CONFIDENCE!
audiobknow
INCREDIBLE ..DON'T MISS IT!!!
THIS IS ORIGINAL EXPLOITATION TOHO MONSTERS HALLOWEEN BALLYHOO AT IT'S BEST!
POSTER WILL BE SENT FLAT TO THE WINNER!
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ITEMS USUALLY GO OUT WITHIN 48 HOURS!  I WILL BE AUCTIONING OFF SOME ONE OF A KIND RARE SPOOK SHOW ITEMS,VINTAGE COMIC BOOKS,SCI FI AND HORROR SEXPLOITATION ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTERS,8MM FILMS,NON SPORTS TRADING CARD WAX PACKS,VINTAGE MENS STAG MAGAZINES,DVD'S, VIDEOS, AND MORE IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS SO STAY TUNED, AND CHECK OUT OUR MANY OTHER FINE STUFF!!! PLEASE E-MAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS AND QUERIES
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ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.A.
45.00 OVERSEAS
GO NOW!, BID AND WIN! WINNER CAN COMBINE ANY AND ALL WINS FOR ONE LOW SHIPPING PRICE OF
FREE
FOR WHAT IT TAKES HERE IN THE U.S.A.! ......
.00 FOR OUR FRIENDS OVERSEAS! NO RESERVE! LOW MINIMUM PAYPAL ONLY PLEASE AS EBAY STATES
I WILL BE AUCTIONING OFF SOME ONE OF A KIND RARE SPOOK SHOW ITEMS,VINTAGE COMIC BOOKS,SCI FI AND HORROR SEXPLOITATION ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTERS,8MM FILMS,NON SPORTS TRADING CARD WAX PACKS,KING KONG,VINTAGE MENS STAG MAGAZINES,DVD'S, VIDEOS, AND MORE IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS SO STAY TUNED, AND CHECK OUT OUR MANY OTHER FINE STUFF!!! PLEASE E-MAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS AND QUERIES
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